The ultimate goal of the Fall Semester was to identify a problem and then address this problem with a redesign for the Spring Semester. The proposal can be seen by clicking HERE or the thumbnail to the right.

Depth - Fixed Base vs. Base Isolation

The existing lateral system found in the J.B. Byrd Alzheimer’s Center & Research Institute is precast joist and soffit beams with one way slab cast-in-place. It will be redesigned using a one-way floor slab system that was investigated in Technical Report 2. The one-way slab will increase the lateral stiffness of the structure in the East-West direction and help correct the torsional irregularity problem. Upon completion of a suitable lateral system, the building will be moved to University of San Diego, California. New seismic loads will be calculated to determine the controlling load combination but it is expected that seismic will control. Two separate structures will then be created using ETABS to compare the effectiveness of these structures for higher seismic loads:

·One-way slab cast-in-place system with a traditional fixed base

·One-way slab cast-in-place system utilizing base isolators

Base isolation is one of the most powerful tools to protect a building from a potentially devastating earthquake. In fact, the isolators allow the structure to respond much more slowly than it would without them, resulting in lower seismic demand on the structure. They will help on lowering deflections and cracks to both structural and non-structural components in the building. There are three main categories of base isolators: Rubber, Lead, and Steel. At this point of the proposal, the type of base isolator is undecided but mainly leaning on lead.

Breadth 1 - Construction Management: Cost and Scheduling.

A construction management breadth focusing on creating a schedule and detailed estimate for the structural systems will facilitate comparison of the structural systems. Of particular interest are: which system (precast joists and soffit beams or cast-in-place concrete) is more efficient. Also of interest is which system (cast-in-place concrete or cast-in-place concrete with base isolators) is more efficient. In addition, the proposal will also focus on how much additional cost is accrued in moving the concrete frame from a non-seismic region to a high seismic region, how base isolators affect a building’s response, how much cost results from designing for a base isolated system, and which system is more efficient.

Breadth 2 - Architecture & Sustainability

Lastly, a sustainability viability study will be conducted for the addition of solar photovoltaic glazing to the curtain wall facade upon moving the building to California. This is possible because of the sunlight abundance and lack of winter season in San Diego, California. Since the technology is feasible in Tampa, Florida, if the result of the system is deemed to be practical it will give the owner a sustainable option now and in the future. This is of course assuming the costs and Sun-days in both Florida and California are relatively the same. To achieve a complete picture of sustainability, the system will be assessed based on cost, savings as a result of using the system, additional LEED points gained, a life cycle assessment, and the payback period of the system.

MAE Coursework

As a requirement for completing the MAE degree, graduate level coursework much be incorporated into the proposal. Much of the calculation of the proposed redesign will draw upon material learned in the MAE courses. Computer modeling will be an integral tool utilized in the completion of the redesign as well as the modeling of the base isolators. Concepts such as insertion points, rigid diaphragm constraints and modal analysis results will be used for the redesign of the South Patient Tower and were taught in AE 597A - Advanced Computer Modeling. AE 538 - Earthquake Resistant Design will also be heavily relied on for this proposal. The design of concrete structures for seismic locations was first taught in this class. Also, an introduction to base isolation techniques and theories were discussed and will be applied to the proposal and redesign. Finally, AE 542 or building enclosure will also be used for the analysis of the photovoltaic glazing system.